Upside: Embedded Linux Player Stalks Windows CE

“Lineo, an embedded software spin-off of Caldera Inc. — parent
company of enterprise Linux distributor Caldera Systems —
announced the official release of its embedded Linux distribution,
called Embedix Linux 1.0. The company also announced plans to
establish a software development facility in the heart of
Microsoft-land, Seattle. The objective: create a software layer,
dubbed Embedix PDA, which will run atop Embedix, giving users the
ability to run Windows CE-based apps on their Linux devices with
minimal performance loss….”

“Despite the collective yawn from open source fans already
heading out to the parking lot, the Lineo announcement will no
doubt have Microsoft executives scouring the technology bullpen for
relief. What the new Crusoe chips, with their “code morphing”
software, offer to Intel-based software programs, Embedix PDA — if
and when it finally comes out — proposes to do for Windows CE
applications. Like a camouflaged predator disguising itself as the
native environment, Embedix PDA hopes to devour the Windows CE
operating system market by pretending to be Windows CE, giving
applications a chance to ride the low-rent Linux express with zero
porting costs….”

“What makes Embedix PDA different, however, is the fact that
Windows CE isn’t as well protected in the embedded marketplace as
its Windows and Windows NT cousins do in their respective
jungles. Given the fact that Linux, when combined with the
open source Apache Web server, is already creeping toward “category
killer” status in the low-end server marketplace, Ball sees a
chance to extend that dominance into the market of
Internet-connected embedded systems as well.”

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